September 17, 2012

Media Release

New World St Martins unveils New Zealand-first carpark safety campaign

‘Park Safe’, the first programme of its kind in New Zealand concentrating on carpark safety at supermarkets, will be launched at New World St Martins, Christchurch, when it is officially opened tomorrow (Tuesday 9.30am).

The Park Safe programme is designed to enhance safety for drivers and pedestrians alike at New World car parks. It includes slower speed limits, easy to read signage, ‘check before you step’ strips, extra highlighting of hazards such as pillars and trolley bays, bright red and white coloured pedestrian crossings, and safety vests for staff.

The new supermarket replaces one destroyed in the February 22, 2011, earthquakes. The supermarket is approximately 25% bigger than thelast building with 437 grocery bays, more than any other New World in the South Island. It also has 11 full checkouts, two express lanes and seven self-scan areas. There are 253 carparks.

Foodstuffs New Zealand Managing Director Steve Anderson says the Park Safe programme is the first of a number of innovations rolling outacross the group in the coming months. “We decided to start in the car park with some new approaches to help protect our customers and their cars. It’s not a dangerous place today, but cars do get damaged and we believed it was a great opportunity for innovation.”

“New World is all about creating New Zealand’s favourite grocery experience, and we want to start this even before people enter the store. These changes are our way of going the extra mile to ensure customers have a safe, enjoyable shopping experience with us,” says Anderson.

Simon Hobbs, Head of Product, AA Insurance says the New World Park Safe programme is a great step forward. “We all know that vehicle accidents in car parks are a common problem, so anything that helps to educate drivers to be more aware of hazards and pedestrians in high-risk areas, such as supermarket car parks, is a great idea.”

The programme will be initially piloted at New World St Martins as well as New World New Lynn, New World Miramar and New World Nelson City. It will then be rolled out to the majority of New World stores nationwide over the coming six months.

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